The two men were taken to Griffith Police Station. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Two men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged copper theft from two agricultural facilities in the Riverina.
In March 2026, Murrumbidgee Police District officers started investigating the theft of large amounts of electrical cable from two grain storage facilities in Coleambally, leaving the facilities severely damaged.
A police spokesperson said initial inquiries indicated that the incidents were linked to the alleged theft of copper from a business in Griffith earlier the same month.
On Wednesday 25 March, investigators arrested a 49-year-old Griffith man.
He was taken to Griffith Police Station and charged with larceny value more than $15,000 (two counts) and larceny value more than $2000 and less than or equal to $5000.
The man was refused bail and appeared before court on Thursday 26 March. He is next due to appear before Griffith Local Court on Wednesday 22 April.
Following further inquiries, on Tuesday (7 April), investigators arrested a 27-year-old Griffith man.
He was also taken to Griffith Police Station where he was charged with larceny value more than $15,000 and destroy/damage property more than $15,000.
The 27-year-old was refused bail to appear before court on the same day. He is next due to appear before Griffith Local Court on Wednesday (15 April).
Following the investigation, Murrumbidgee Police started Operation Salvage to check the compliance of scrap metal dealers across the region.
The operation ran last week.
During the operation, two businesses were issued with infringement notices, with one of those also being issued an interim closure order.
Investigations under Operation Salvage are continuing.
Strange, I thought city-based elites like Labor's Communications Minister Anika Wells should fix it. View